World famous Chicago pizza restaurant reveals new Houston expansion details: Real deep dish is almost here

World famous Chicago pizza joint reveals new Houston expansion details

Gino's East will open its Woodlands location December 11.
Gino's East The Woodlands/Facebook

The spicy Chicago fire pizza will be on the menu.
Courtesy photo

As will deep dish nachos.
Courtesy photo

A taste of Chicago awaits.
Courtesy photo

Doesn't authentic, Chicago-style deep dish pizza sound like the perfect way to warm up on a cold December night? People who answer that question with an enthusiastic "yes," take heart. Beloved Chicago-based pizza chain Gino's East will open Thursday Dec. 11 in The Woodlands.

In addition to The Woodlands location, ATX Brands, the Texas company that's bringing Gino's south, announced that a second Houston area restaurant will open in the Willowbrook area on Jan.15. Locations in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth will follow throughout 2015.

It's not cheap for pizza, but it's a lot cheaper than airfare to Chicago.

The menu will feature classic combinations like the Chicago Fire (spicy sausage with red peppers) as well as a Texas-oriented barbecue brisket-topped pie. Appetizer options include deep dish nachos and mozzarella sticks. Prices, as revealed by CultureMap in October, will run from $21 to $33 for deep dish pies, with thin crusts costing a little less. Not cheap for pizza, but a lot cheaper than airfare to Chicago.

In addition to food, the restaurant will serve Texas craft beers from breweries like Live Oak and Karbach as well as national options like Chicago's own Goose Acre.